What is the primary use of KML files?

KML files, which stand for Keyhole Markup Language, are primarily used to represent geographic data for web mapping applications. They serve as an XML format that allows for the representation of geographic information, points of interest, and overlays in a way that can be easily interpreted by mapping software like Google Earth and various web mapping services.

KML files can include features such as placemarks, paths, and polygons, enabling users to visualize and interact with geographic data effectively. They are particularly useful for displaying complex spatial information and allow for the integration of descriptive data alongside geographic features.

In contrast, storing large databases is not the function of KML files, as they are designed more for presentation and visualization rather than data storage. Editing CAD drawings is a capability associated with specialized CAD software, and KML does not support this functionality. Likewise, while KML can reference raster images for overlays, it does not serve primarily to represent raster images themselves, as its focus is more on vector data that describes geographic elements.